Hotel Review: The Jeddah EDITION
Here’s what it’s like to stay at the newly opened hotel…
Rich in history, art, culture and design, Jeddah is the modern face of Saudi Arabia. Centred around the picture-perfect Al-Balad Old Town district, the enchanted city stretches for miles along the Red Sea, providing a plethora of pristine beaches and a modern waterfront promenade area.
Its streets house several traditional markets, museums, and art galleries, while sports fans can enjoy football matches in between adrenaline-fuelled activities ranging from jet skiing to dune buggy rides.
And right in the midst of it all, anchored on the buzzy Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina along the Jeddah Corniche, sits the city’s newest luxury hotel, the EDITION.
For many, EDITION Hotels need no introduction. A collaboration between hotel visionary Ian Schrager and Marriott International, this hotel chain offers luxurious accommodations around the world, blending sophistication, comfort, and immersive guest experiences.
The Jeddah EDITION is the brand’s first foray into the Kingdom. Like many, we were excited when the highly anticipated hotel opened in preview last month – and even more so when we were invited to stay there.
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Setting a new standard for luxury in the city, is this the sleekest hotel in Jeddah? We find out.
Location
Perched along the splendid Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina and just steps away from its myriad dining options, The Jeddah EDITION is ideal for both business and leisure travellers. It also overlooks one of the most exciting corners of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Circuit, the fastest Formula 1 track, making it an ideal base for F1 fans who would like to be in the thick of the action. And thanks to its location, the hotel offers elevated vistas that take in the Red Sea, the Corniche, the yacht club and marina, and the F1 track. Moreover, it’s only a brisk 25-minute hop from the King Abdulaziz International Airport, with easy and convenient access to the city centre and other surrounding attractions.
Look and feel
Amid an oasis of landscaped gardens interspersed with eight-metre-tall palm trees, The Jeddah EDITION is quietly cool, calm, and contemporary, with gorgeous, sleek interiors and high-ceilinged public spaces.
Stepping into the lobby, we’re met with clean-lined, white oak walls and travertine floors contrasted with an orange chandelier sphere by French kinetic artist Vincent Leroy. Inspired by Jeddah’s famous sunrises and sunsets, the giant chandelier hovers overhead like a rising sun, giving the minimalist space a candlelit glow, and a warm and comforting atmosphere.
While admiring the space, our eyes are immediately drawn to the light-filled Lobby Lounge, which seamlessly flows from one convivial space to the next and is complete with an abundance of greenery. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light, illuminating the green foliage and blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces.
Designed in partnership with international design studio Yabu Pushelberg, the property subtly captures the city’s vibrant culture and rich traditions yet remains in line with the neutral tones and homey design that’s typical across the brand’s properties.
You can expect to find walnut and white oak panels in the vast public spaces, deep, comfy sofas swathed in whites and creams, with a fluffy throw blanket tossed artfully, and art books carefully arranged on the various coffee tables. For EDITION loyalists, the modus operandi is a familiar one.
Rooms
The sleek low-rise building designed to resemble a superyacht has only 52 rooms and 11 suites, including two luxurious Penthouses. Large and chic, each room and suite sports EDITION’s signature pared-down aesthetic, headlined by bright, white oak spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows with electronically operated curtain shades, and terraces boasting vista views of either the Red Sea or the F1 track. The crisp, white bedding provides a luxurious backdrop for a restful sleep.
Particularly delightful is our welcome amenity of Ajwa dates and Zamzam water, as well as a handwritten note, which are all lovely and welcome extras that make guests feel special.
Although our Deluxe King room does not have a bath, the walk-in rain shower is huge and capable of nailing you to the floor with water. EDITION’s exclusive black tea Le Labo bath products do the cleaning, and lovely, marshmallowy robes do the drying. Perfect.
Our favourite part, though, is curling up on the chaise lounge tucked away in the corner and gazing out over the terrace to the sea and the magnificent yacht clubhouse. It’s all incredibly luxurious but in an understated EDITION way.
Facilities
There’s plenty to explore within the hotel. Whether stopping in for a late morning coffee or popping in for an early afternoon mocktail, the all-day Lobby Bar beckons to all who pass by. Part bar, part lounge area, part pool hall featuring an original royal purple billiard table by Blatt Billiards, the effortlessly stylish bar makes for a perfect place to catch up with friends.
There’s an expansive alfresco terrace outside, where guests can play bocce, stroll along the connecting Yacht Club promenade and marvel at the stunning boats, or just sit for a quiet tea.
Then, head up to The Roof, a dreamy Mediterranean beach club-inspired escape, on the fourth floor to get your tan on. This idyllic rooftop oasis features a sleek 14-metre, mixed-gender pool lined with sunbeds and dotted with potted plants.
Dive in, lounge in the bougainvillea-shaded cabanas, order a round from The Roof bar, and enjoy stunning views of the F1 track. Keep the vibes going even after the sun sets over the serene Red Sea. It’s also a great vantage point to take in the twinkling lights of the yacht clubhouse by night.
On the same floor, there is a well-equipped gym for quick cardio workouts, strength training, or light stretching, and a spa, which will only open later in the year. It will have three intimate treatment rooms for males and females, as well as a luxurious couples’ suite.
Food and drinks
Maritime, helmed by renowned chef Cédric Vongerichten, is the hotel’s signature all-day restaurant. The menu skews heavily towards pan-Asian flavours with a modern French flair, inspired by his Bangkok childhood and years of experimenting with Indonesian flavours. Here, guests can enjoy sharing-style dishes, such as eggplant balado, vegetable spring roll, avocado salad, garlic crab rice, and pan-seared sea bass.
Maritime serves up a neat menu of breakfast, too. You can order everything a la carte, including warm pastries and sweet options such as the crispy French toast, or an eggs benedict that comes with spinach and sambal oelek hollandaise, a spicy twist on a classic hollandaise. Chef Cédric’s stellar reputation is enough to lure diners to Maritime even if they’re not hotel guests. Keep a look out for our review on Maritime.
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For something lighter, there’s the lobby lounge next door where guests can indulge in handcrafted beverages, coffee by a local roaster, and a selection of teas served alongside a menu of light bites and an incredible array of pastries.
Also on the ground floor is The Den, a cigar lounge draped in tufted teal blue velvet banquettes, outfitted with rich brown armchairs, and lacquered rosewood, which is yet to open. Even if you don’t plan on having a hand-rolled cigar here, stop in for bespoke coffees and non-alcoholic beverages, best enjoyed with light bites from Chef Cédric.
For poolside eats on the fourth floor of the rooftop, guests can order from The Roof’s frozen pressed juices or iced frappés plus a casual menu of wood-fired Greek dishes with wider Mediterranean influence, such as the grilled octopus served with fingerling potatoes topped with labneh. The rooftop area is limited to hotel guests only during the day, but opens to the public come evening.
Room rates
A one-night stay in a deluxe king room with a city view starts from SAR2,415, while the same room with a sea view starts from SAR3,502. These hotel preview offers are prices based on the month of June 2024.
Verdict
No one does “cool” luxury quite like EDITION, and this sleek, greenery-bedecked hotel fits right in at the vibrant Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina and looks set to become the new clubhouse of Jeddah’s creative crowd. Sky-high ceilings, an incredible art collection, and an immaculate rooftop pool deck – would you expect anything less from EDITION? Although The Jeddah EDITION is brand-new, the service felt polished and exceptional; no opening kinks here. And it’s quietly setting a new benchmark for luxury stays in Jeddah.
The Jeddah EDITION, 7044 Al Kurnaysh Br Rd, Ash Shati, Jeddah 23613. Tel: +966 12 514 0000. @jeddahedition
Images: Supplied